2003 AC speedo cover replacement

Yesterday I pulled my speedo out so I could try and really clean the cover. Thanks to this forum for showing me how to get the whole thing out. It looks like the previous owner got armor all or something on it that left spots everywhere, I can't get them off no matter what cleaner I use. Also in the process of trying to clean it, the damn thing is super brittle now and got a small crack right in the center over the high beam indicator and I know it's gonna annoy the hell out of me almost as much all the spots that were already on it.

Found the part number for it, 838520C030, and it's discontinued. Rock Auto doesn't have anything, and so far the only place that's not shown it as unavailable is in Canada and they won't let me enter an American shipping address. Any alternatives short of buying a used cluster just for the cover?

 

I mean, I remember back in the days when the sport import scene was really hot, there were all kinds of cool layovers you could get. But your best bet is probably cobbling one nice cluster together from a used one. You just gotta manage to find another 2003-2004 cluster for a V8/4WD truck.

 

Yeah, the only ones I'm seeing are coming from wrecking yards and most of them look worse than my current one. Might be time to become familiar with the local junk yards.

 

If it's just the clear cover, I'd swap it out with a used unit from ebay

 

I've been looking, only things I'm seeing are the surround or the whole gauge cluster.

 

That'll be your only COA unfortunately, a whole unit

 

Yeah, I mean ...the part number you provided appears to be a Sequoia cluster. I think the part number for '03-'04 V8 complete cluster is 83800-0C230. But I pulled that from a random ass 2003 V8/4WD VIN I found on the internet. I was using these diagrams.

83852-0C030 is the clear lens, and I think 83821-0C040 is maybe the numbered overlay?

 

Yeah, it's the same part number for the Tundra and Sequoia, even looks like they used the same cover for the gauges with and without a tach. Unless I can find a dealership with a NOS one sitting on a shelf, it looks like ebay and junk yards are going to be my only options. Thanks for looking.

 

Unfortunately, you only have two options, higher mileage or lower mileage. Used is all that is out there.

 

How about calling a couple speedo repair shops

 

You might try Toyota parts overstock, it is in Florida, a dealership parts department I believe. They have under-promised and over-delivered for me before with parts they said were "likely not available".

They've pulled a rabbit out of their hat before, so they might be worth a shot.

 

Toyota Parts Overstock is the storefront for Lakeland Toyota in FL. It's your average, ordinary dealership but they seem to be willing to make a few extra calls to get parts. Sometimes they come through. Sometimes they don't.

In my case, I ordered two CV axles from them. They couldn't fulfill on both, so I got a credit for one, and the other shipped. It arrived damaged. They credited me for the damaged axle, and told me to keep it (bonus). But they failed to credit my shipping, which I chalked up to "Eff it, I got a free CV axle". Suddenly 2wks later, I got my credit.

$20 in parts later, I was able to replace the damaged seal. Sucks the axle came from a rust state, but ... I'll live with it.

 

Not available.

I didn't even notice the crack today while driving, so maybe I can live with it for a little while.

I'll try the speedo repair places.

 

What i would do, is something i have actually done before. Buy a used cluster, take care in pulling it apart to not crack the lens, polish the lens with a headlight restore kit starting off with the fine sand paper and do a wet sand, this pulls all those surface scratches out, then use the 3000 grit and wet sand with it as well. After the wet sanding the whole thing will be a white haze, then use the buffing compound or the Meguiars plastic restore (really like this stuff in a buffer) and buff the whole lens. You will get the lens back to crystal clear and from then on, NEVER EVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER wipe it clean. Use a blow gun from high pressure air blower to blow the dash off, NEVER wipe it clean, the dust is what puts all the scratches in it. ONLY blow it off with a high pressure hose and you will have a clear polished clean cluster lens.

 

A couple days after putting it all back together, the D light burned out, so I'll be pulling it apart again sooner than later. I guess it's time to start checking ebay more often.